2010 in Review

I don't usually post on full posts on this blog, but here is the 'lite' version of 2010. Click here to read entire posts

or

Leave your email in a comment so I can invite you to the 'full' version of HTSAL:)I'd love to hear from you!

Started the year off great where I implemented Thankful Thursday with my very first post at the Norfolk Airport waiting for the coveted ELC (which I am now a part of.. weird!) to pick me up for MISSION TRAINING. I got an assignment for a mission, went to the "Dance of the Decade" with the best guy out there, then 2 weeks later spent 2 weeks in Amman, Jordan which changed my life forever and came home to real life (yeah, that was not fun)!

I got a ton of great news! I was accepted as a Junior Counselor for the HOBY conference, I got into GHA and got a 4 year scholarship, I was accepted as an editor for the state-wide "Real Life" supplement in the back of all Utah yearbooks by Herff Jones at Deseret News and also applied for ELC.

During SPRING BREAK, I got snowed in, said "see you soon" to some amazing guys, bought and ate 3lb of salt water taffy, was inspired by General Conference, and took the ACT for the first (and last!) time. Mitch made me smile, and I became the biggest LAX fan. Went to an early girls camp, a fun date! and made a sa-weet card!

HTSAL celebrated it's 2 year anniversary, I helped with Breakfast for Smiles and OpSmile won $200,000 in the Members Project contest!  I went to Senior Prom and can't even believe that I said goodbye to the class of '10. I survived high school heartbreak and being a yearbook editor (barely) and well, school got out! (woooo!!) And an awesome summer began. I made a Bucket List, got a lovely  haircut, and went on a Facebook Fast. I was extra thankful one day and shared a story that went opsmile viral:), and went on a 4 day pioneer trek! (here)

Spend 10 beautiful days in Cedar City at the Governor's Honors Academy which was way fun and inspiring. I also took the hardest exam ever and passed it!! I also got the highest score in my entire class. I was really proud! Read an awesome book, Had some tough times and watched some awesomely inspiring videos here, here and here. I also made some yummy food like 3am Crepes, Million Dollar Cookies,  Tasty 24th Salsa and Lemon Almond Poppyseed cake! *How could I forget Tasty Tuesday? :)

After an amazing summer going from ISLC in Denver to Disneyland, school started and I am a senior now! Bountiful won the football game against WX for the 22nd year in a row, I wrote a letter to the love of my life, My sister got married, we experienced a once in a lifetime phenomena, Wrote up some goals, ranted a little bit, and privatized my blog... AGAIN! I was accepted onto the Executive Leadership Council for OpSmile and had our fall leadership retreat, right here in Utah!

In November we had 3 General Authorities visit our Seminary building which was an edifying and wonderful experience. I went down to Cedar City for Distinguished Scholars Day and the GHA Reunion which was way fun, but I had some second thoughts on college..I had my second adventure up at the Utah Academic Olympiad where we took 2nd place in English! We even have the medal to prove it! As an ELC we've been planning the ISCE in CHINA and it is going to be absolutely PHENOMENAL! I can't even wait.

 Started December (already!?!) and went to the Winter Ball, felt nostalgic, and turned 18 YEARS OLD! Wow! I finished up a journal I've kept since I turned 16 and that was a huge milestone in my life. Today, I'm awaiting for the new year to arrive and even more wonderful and amazing things will happen.

The next coming year will be so awesome. I can't even believe that I'll be a freshman in college just living the life! I am so grateful for you and all you do for and to me. I met so many amazing people this year- I am so grateful for you! Lots of ups and downs but another year has come and gone with many memories to remember forever. Definitely the best year to date. I hope you have had as amazing a year as I did! Happy 2011!

I am so blessed!


:) Lis

The last Thankful Thursday of 2010

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Happy Christmas!

My amazing friend Jefferson had this on his tumblr and I had to share. So funny. Hope you and your family and loved ones have a beautiful, happy and lovely Christmas! :)

Love, Lis

Thankful Thursday

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Dear Journal

Yup, December 13, 2008 to December 13, 2010. 16 to 18. Page 1 to Page 185. You'll like this one:)

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Thankful Thursday

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Probability

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I am literally bursting with gratitude and thanksgiving right now (ok, not literally.. that would be bad) . SO grateful for all my amazing family and friends who care about me and have sent me lovely vibes on my birthday. I feel so loved today and feeling something I don't think I've ever felt on a birthday before- this overwhelming sense of gratitude. I feel like in years past I've recognized but not acknowledged and embraced the immense blessings I enjoy in my life as I should- those I most usually and often take for such granted. I am so grateful for those special friends and loved ones in my life that care about me so much. I am so grateful for my family and for kindred spirits and angels and miracles. Wow- I am so happy right now, I just don't know what to do or how to express it!!

So, this must be what adulthood feels like! ;)

b i r t h d a y

Thank you so much for all the birthday love. :)

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Thankful Thursday and other random ramblings:)

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Nostalgia

Ya know the Facebook trend everyone is doing with their profile pics? I didn't give in but have been feeling very nostalgic.

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Winter Ball*

I went to the Winter Ball last night with one of my good friends, Ethan. We had such a great time!

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Things to look forward to come Dec 13

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Finally Thankful Friday

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However, I have something to share with the rest of you today...

Oh, just one more thing-- my next door neighbors- the VD's, they are absolutely the sweetest people in the world. I babysit their rabbits every summer when they spend a few weeks in Belgium and Europe to visit family:) Anyways a few years ago they started making these yummy Belgian waffles at their home, and then they opened up a little Waffle stand at the Gateway.. then it just snowballed and now they have a little shop right on the street south of the GW and another one at the Canyons Ski Resort. They are also trying to expand in Bountiful! We went their tonight after some rave reviews from our other neighbors and it was... 

AMAZINGGG.

Their frites and waffles are the best thing in the world. You gotta try it- they are sooo fresh, warm, and delicious! Unlike anything you've ever tried!! They have already even been featured on the Travel Channel and a bunch of local news stories. Check them out here, or better yet just go to their store!! YUM!

I would recommend the Cinnamon Waffle plain, and their frites with Andalouse dipping sauce. (Their fries were so good we ordered a medium there and ate it in like 5 minutes so we ordered a large one to take home!)

Bruges Waffles and Frites

336 West Broadway, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

Ok that is my shoutout for the day:) If you live in the Salt Lake/Utah area or are ever visiting... COME!!!

 Have a lovely weekend!

CHINA CHINA CHINA

Feeling extremely lazy.. it's not a long post but I am SO excited for my 2-3 week stay in Beijing:) You know the place, you know what I'd say if I was gonna link this. Good night!

a few thoughts

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The most Thankful Thursday

I hope that you and your families, friends, and loved ones all have a safe and lovely,  happy day full of thanks and giving. I am so thankful for so many things, and this is such a wonderful day to express them! Thank you so much for your readership and your prayers or comments when I needed them most. You are such a blessing in my life! 

Please click here to read my Thankful Thursday list, or leave your email in a comment so I can invite you. :)

Have a wonderful, happy day!!

Drive Safely PLEASE!!

For those of you who are traveling today or tomorrow or the rest of the week to be with family and friends for the upcoming Thanksgiving festivities, please drive and travel safely! Here in Utah we have a very crazy weather warning about this blizzard that is supposed to be unprecedented. I read an article online and it scared me so bad! They have cancelled all our school activities-- all basketball games, practices, rehearsals, concerts and other events have been cancelled due to the storm.

I'm so worried!! :( But please have a lovely and safe weekend my friends!!

So thankful for you!!

Safe Travels!!!

Sickly

And not loving it.

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LEGAL

Well, almost that is!

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Academic Olympiad

Yes, it's just as nerdy as it sounds- complete with a "Star Wars" round..

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Thankful Thursday

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Thankful Thursday

It's Thankful Thursday!

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Second Thoughts

I'm having second thoughts about my college choice, and it's causing me quite a bit of distress.

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Confused

This is a post I'll only put here, but I'm just so confused as to why in the ONE WEEK that this here blog has been ripped of all previous posts, gadgets, etc. and only has 1 complete post and 2 links to 2 posts that can't be read by just anyone, has received the most traffic and new visitors (in one week!) than I can remember in the almost 3 years I have ever had this blog where more than half of that time was open to the public.

Maybe people just like reading titles of posts?

I'm not sure if I ever told you but this one blog (for you, mjc:) I read, oh.. one of the most incredible, happy, stylish women I know.. err.. kindof know- she writes on her blog about her seemingly fairytale life on the east coast with her cute husband and their adventures. I'm sure you faithful readers know who I am referring to since I know many of you have shared my enthusiasm about her postings and had your own lives enriched because of them as well.

I had been introduced to her blog by two friends in their foods class. Our foods teacher had made her wedding dress for her, and followed her blog. [I actually now remember my teacher showing me the blog once when I asked her about her side-wedding-dress-designing]  She often opened up her blog to play music for the class during cooking labs. After a while, my friends started listening to her music at home when they were doing homework. Then, they started reading the posts. They were hooked, and then I was too.

Anyways, my point is that earlier this year she declared she was going to put her blog on private! Oh no! What was I to do? Her blog was too beautiful and wonderful to give up. I had lived vicariously through it for almost a year! She asked readers for their email addresses so she could invite them. After days of turmoil, I finally revealed myself as a closet reader. It was difficult but I introduced myself as a teenager who she did not know, who had secretly stalked her blog for months. Wow- talk about embarrassing.

But, it ended up that about 60-70 people were also in the same situation as me, so it didn't turn out that bad. She kept her blog open for us to enjoy, and I thoroughly appreciate it.

I'm not sure what that had to do with anything, but I would sure love if you would let me know if you'd like to read more, even if I don't know you. Please leave your own blog addresses as well! I would love to check them out! I have made some wonderful friendships and strengthened relationships through blogging. Like I always say, blogging is a blessing!

Hope you had a great weekend, and hope to hear from  you soon!

General Authorities in my Seminary Class?

Yup, you read that right. And it was one incredible, personal experience. 

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Bad Day- Thankful Monday(?)

I was having an especially hard day today (not just for the one reason) so I knew I needed to do this post. I didn't do TT on my blog last week so I will make up for it today. I find that those times when I feel sad or mad; frustrated or upset- It always helps me to think of the things that I'm thankful for..

.....

"Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be grateful if we will but pause and contemplate our blessings" 

-Thomas S. Monson

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A new start

After painstakingly importing/exporting/copy/pasting/cntl+z-ing almost every aspect of this blog, then deleting it, I'm pleased to ask you to please visit me on my new blog,

How to Save a Lifeguard

at it's new home.

Wait.. isn't THIS blog called HTSAL?

Well, yes, it is. Here's how it'll work:

After recently deciding that a Private blog is what was needed at this point in life, I've decided that this blog will stay PUBLIC- While [thenew] HTSAL will be p . r . i . v . a . t . e. . It is pretty much the exact same thing as here, but with posts:) I will be posting my entires there and a little snippet of what the post contains here. If you're interested in reading it, I will post a link to that post that you can easily follow. I did this so you wouldn't forget about me since private blogs don't show up on your readers and automatically update on your rolls. If I haven't already invited you, please feel free to leave a comment and I'd love to invite you.

So, keep this url: http://howtosavealifeguard.blogspot.com/ on your own blogs- that way you will know when it has been updated. It will direct you to the private blog.

Thanks so much for all your love and support!

Happy Blogging!